If your neck and shoulders are chronically tense and tight, you're not alone. Our high stress world often leaves us feeling like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. Poor posture causes muscle strain, changes in your breathing patterns and leads to a host of problems, including headaches, numbness and reduced range of motion. Slouching affects more than the way you look, it can have negative effects on your health.

Join us next Wednesday August 6 from 4:30-7:30 at my Functional Yoga for Shoulders workshop. Come learn the basic ranges of motion and physiology of the shoulders. Maintain or regain proper function in your shoulders, upper back and neck. Contact Stephanie to register.

Our Functional Yoga for Hip Dysfunction Workshop is now FULL! If you missed it this time, please let me know if you are interested in being added to the cancellation or waiting lists for our future sessions.

I also have some time slots for private sessions opening up in September. Check out my private sessions page for more on what to expect with me.

What Kind Of Workshops Would you enjoy at IBWC?

We have three spots left for our Functional Yoga for Hip Dysfunction workshop, on Monday July 28th from 4:30-7:30pm. Do not be intimidated by a three hour workshop. It will not be three hours of yoga practice, but ample time to learn poses to improve daily living. This workshop will teach standing, sitting and floor poses to help alleviate discomfort in your knees, legs, hips and lower back. Come and learn how to develop stability through strength and flexibility poses.

Our PHILOSOPHY of Education at In Balance:

1. It’s only temporary. The difficulty of the pose, class or workshop is only temporary. The benefits can be long term, when coupled with daily dedication to take care of yourself.

2. Be where you are and not where you want to be. You might not be able to do what you used to do, or what your neighbour can do, but you can be where you are and start there. Yoga helps us to learn more about nourishing and taking care of our bodies, while learning to quiet the mind. Be mindful. Work hard and pay attention.

3. Yoga has no religion. It is boundless. Yoga is about seeking quiet and hopefully getting to stay there, for a bit more each time. In our bodies and our minds. What you do with the quiet is completely your own.

4. It doesn't matter where you practice yoga. In a yoga studio, school gym, multi-purpose room, church, basement, or barn. Practice, practice. practice.Be active. Be present.

For the first ten years of my yoga practice, I did it wrong. Every once and a while, I would have an instructor come over to correct one or even two, of my poses in a 60 or 90 minute class. I was constantly having to look at other participants to find out what Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward dog) meant. I saw both massage therapists and physiotherapists due to the extreme yoga I was practicing, Now all these year later, as a yoga teacher, I believe yoga poses should be about quality over quantity. There is a difference between getting your body to look like a particular yoga pose, and getting your body properly engage and your mind to relax within that yoga pose.

Join me at our functional yoga workshops to properly learn how to do yoga poses, that will help provide relief, from hip and shoulder discomfort. Our restorative workshop will help ease anxiety and provide a break from the everyday noise of our lives. Contact us to register today.

Our Lower Back Workshop is now FULL! If you missed it this time, please let me know if you are interested in being added to the cancellation or waiting lists for our future sessions.

We still have space however in our hips workshop, on July 28th. It is aimed at people who spend too much time sitting. In your vehicle, at your desk, on your couch or on your lawn mower, sitting is hard on your body. Lower back pain or discomfort can be a result of inactive glutes, tight hamstrings and a sedentary lifestyle. Learn to find balance in your pelvis, legs and glutes through the strength and flexibility of practicing yoga.

Check out this news clip, Get Off Your Duff! Sitting Is the 'New Smoking' by Lorie Johnson CBN News Medical Reporter from November 28, 2012. It will make you stand up.